FORT DODGE – A Fort Dodge man accused of killing a co-worker has been deemed as unfit for trial, according to the Des Moines Register. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled Lukouxs Brown faces charges for th murder of Wayne Smith in February 2021. Smith was found dead with a knife wound at an employee locker room at Prestage Foods in Eagle Grove. Brown has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The court ruled prosecutors were not entitled to a second medical opinion in the case and that there is no probably that Brown will be able to stand trial. Mental commitment proceedings will resume in district court.

DES MOINES – Following the closure of nearly 30 pharmacies in Iowa in 2024, a group representing those facilities is calling for legislative action. KCRG-TV reports the Iowa Pharmacy Association is blaming pharmacy benefit managers, which were created to mediate between pharmacies and healthcare companies. A bill did not pass in the 2024 session to address the issues.

IOWA CITY – The Board of Directors of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union approved the University of Iowa’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center as the new home of the Iowa Girls State Swimming and Diving Meet beginning in the fall of 2025 through the 2028 State Meet. The IGHSAU State Swimming and Diving Meet has been held at the Marshalltown YMCA/YWCA the last 21 years. The 2025 Girls State Swimming and Diving Meet will be held November 14 & 15.